Key Points
- Lila Haines, a long-time critic of commercialised St Patrick’s Day celebrations, is embracing the occasion in 2026 due to a resurgence in Irish language interest and the launch of an Irish women’s network in Wales.
- Michelle Ryan, Vice-Consul of Ireland in Cardiff, visited a stand promoting the Irish language at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff as part of related events.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ireland’s Consulate General in Cardiff launched an online Irish conversation group, sparking renewed interest in the language among the Irish diaspora.
- In 2023, Cardiff schoolgirl Naima Ní Úrdail organised the Ciorcal Comhrá, an Irish language chat group that grew into regular meetings at Cathays Community Centre, online sessions, and outdoor walks (Siúlóidí).
- Naima Ní Úrdail stated: “Before 2023 Irish was a language I only ever used with my dad and brother, it was the language of our family. The Ciorcal has allowed me to meet people from all over, living different lives from my own, and to connect with them through our shared language. I have also gained a new appreciation for my city: the Irish immigration, the Welsh language, its history.”
- Naima Ní Úrdail added: “What I am now certain of is the strength of the community that has grown beyond the first small gathering in Cathays. For me the Ciorcal’s social mission, providing a welcoming and open space for all, is fortified by, if not completely dependent on, our language.”
- In late 2025, a Cardiff branch of Conradh na Gaeilge was formed, named Craobh Dafydd Iwan after the Welsh singer-songwriter, linking Irish and Welsh cultural affinities.
- In February 2026, Líonra na mBan Éireannach Cymru (Irish Women’s Network Wales) launched at the Irish Consulate in Cardiff, initiated by Pauline Lomax from Belfast.
- Pauline Lomax described the network as: “a forum for Irish women of all backgrounds, ages and generations to gather to celebrate their heritage, culture and arts whilst supporting each other.”
- Pauline Lomax noted: “It is wonderful to see the resurgence of the Irish language and there is great interest here in Wales, in classes both for newbies and those who need a refresher course. I would like to say a big ‘Maith thú’ – Well done! to those involved.”
- Lila Haines, Cathaoirleach of Craobh Dafydd Iwan, called for greater Irish government support for the language abroad, including community classes and a global promotion body like Alliance Française.
- Cardiff’s historical Irish ties trace to the 1840s Great Famine, when immigrants built the docks in ‘Little Ireland’ in Newtown, a six-street community with pubs, shops, and St Paul’s Church.
- Nick Shepley, local author, stated: “Cardiff was the biggest coal port in the world, its docks fed the steamships of the British Empire and those docks and canals were built and manned by workers from Wales, England, and many from Ireland.”
- ‘Little Ireland’ was redeveloped in the 1960s; a memorial stone ‘knot’ with family names was erected in Newtown Memorial Gardens in 2005 by The Newtown Association.
- St Colmcilles GAA in Pontcanna, founded 1956, is Wales’ only club-level Gaelic sports club, competing in British leagues and open to all backgrounds.
- Boxer ‘Peerless’ Jim Driscoll, born 1880 to Irish parents in Cardiff’s Newtown, won British featherweight (1906), Commonwealth (1908), and Lonsdale Belt (1910); 100,000 attended his 1925 funeral.
- Nick Shepley said of Driscoll: “I think his determination and his sense of community make him the city’s patron saint. Cardiffians love an underdog – he grew up in immense poverty and boxed in Wales and America, sadly dying a relatively young man.”
- St Patrick’s Day 2026 events in Cardiff include The Tumbling Paddies at Tramshed (14 March), Saint Patrick’s Day Pub Crawls (13-14 March), Bingo Lingo special (21 March), and Popworld parties with Irish anthems.
- Traditional music features Jason Rouse on uilleann pipes at The Dead Canary (17 March) and The Wilderness Yet at Norwegian Church Arts Centre (22 March).
Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) March 17, 2026 – Lila Haines, a political analyst and long-time sceptic of St Patrick’s Day’s commercial excesses, has announced she will celebrate Ireland’s national day this year, citing a vibrant resurgence in the Irish language and the establishment of a new Irish women’s network in Wales. The Vice-Consul of Ireland in Cardiff, Michelle Ryan, recently visited an Irish language promotion stand at Chapter Arts Centre, underscoring official support for these cultural initiatives amid growing diaspora engagement.
Who is Lila Haines and Why the Change of Heart?
Lila Haines, Cathaoirleach (chairperson) of the Cardiff branch of Conradh na Gaeilge and author of Radicals & Realists: Political Parties in Ireland, has historically dismissed St Patrick’s Day frivolities like “silly hats and plastic shillelaghs” and green-dyed rivers. As reported by Lila Haines of Nation.Cymru, she explained:
“I’ve been a bit of a grumpy old woman about St Patrick’s Day most of my life – not for me the silly hats and plastic shillelaghs, and don’t get me started about people who dye rivers green for 17 March!”
However, Haines is “softening” due to two key developments in the Irish community in Wales. The first is a “serious upsurge of interest in the Irish language,” revitalised ironically during the COVID-19 pandemic when Ireland’s Consulate General in Cardiff launched an online conversation group. This allowed Haines to “resuscitate my dormant Irish language skills,” connecting her with a diverse modern diaspora from Antrim to Kerry.
The community now enjoys regular gatherings at Cathays Community Centre, online offshoots, and family-friendly outdoor Siúlóidí (walks with dogs and toddlers welcome), sometimes featuring cake.
What Sparked the Irish Language Revival in Cardiff?
The pivotal moment arrived in 2023 with Cardiff schoolgirl Naima Ní Úrdail’s Ciorcal Comhrá (conversation circle), an experiment to gauge local Irish speakers. As reported by Lila Haines of Nation.Cymru, Naima Ní Úrdail stated:
“Before 2023 Irish was a language I only ever used with my dad and brother, it was the language of our family. The Ciorcal has allowed me to meet people from all over, living different lives from my own, and to connect with them through our shared language. I have also gained a new appreciation for my city: the Irish immigration, the Welsh language, its history.”
Naima Ní Úrdail further noted:
“What I am now certain of is the strength of the community that has grown beyond the first small gathering in Cathays. For me the Ciorcal’s social mission, providing a welcoming and open space for all, is fortified by, if not completely dependent on, our language.”
Haines praised Naima, saying “gurbh maith agat, Naima!” for the cake and community building.
By late 2025, this momentum led to the formation of Craobh Dafydd Iwan, a Cardiff branch of Conradh na Gaeilge, named after Welsh icon Dafydd Iwan with his blessing. Haines described it as “a fitting link between our Irish and Welsh affinities,” reflecting younger generations’ positive views on Irish.
What is the New Irish Women’s Network in Wales?
The second breakthrough was the February 2026 launch of Líonra na mBan Éireannach Cymru (Irish Women’s Network Wales) at the Irish Consulate. Belfast native Pauline Lomax drove the initiative, envisioning it as a supportive space.
As reported by Lila Haines of Nation.Cymru, Pauline Lomax stated:
“a forum for Irish women of all backgrounds, ages and generations to gather to celebrate their heritage, culture and arts whilst supporting each other.”
The group is already fostering interactions, debates, and mutual aid.
Pauline Lomax highlighted the language synergy:
“It is wonderful to see the resurgence of the Irish language and there is great interest here in Wales, in classes both for newbies and those who need a refresher course. I would like to say a big ‘Maith thú’ – Well done! to those involved.”
Vice-Consul Michelle Ryan’s involvement, including her Chapter Arts Centre visit, signals consular backing.
What Role Has Cardiff’s Irish History Played?
Cardiff’s Irish roots run deep, as explored in related coverage. As reported by InterCardiff journalists, local author Nick Shepley emphasised:
“In countless British cities like Liverpool, Glasgow, and London, the story of the city is intimately connected to the flow of Irish workers from the poverty of 19th Century Ireland. Cardiff was the biggest coal port in the world, its docks fed the steamships of the British Empire and those docks and canals were built and manned by workers from Wales, England, and many from Ireland.”
During the 1840s Great Irish Famine, immigrants settled in Newtown’s ‘Little Ireland’ – six streets centred on St Paul’s Church, pubs, and shops – lasting four generations until 1960s slum clearances. Nick Shepley added:
“Modernisation and the relocation of communities to the docks has seen much of Irish Cardiff lost. There are still echoes of it in Canton, Grangetown, and Riverside, but part of the world that Irish workers and their families knew is no longer there.”
A 2005 memorial in Newtown Memorial Gardens, a carved stone ‘knot’ listing families, honours them thanks to The Newtown Association. Nearby stands the statue of ‘Peerless’ Jim Driscoll, born 1880 to Irish parents in poverty, who won major boxing titles and drew 100,000 mourners in 1925.
Nick Shepley remarked:
“I think his determination and his sense of community make him the city’s patron saint. Cardiffians love an underdog – he grew up in immense poverty and boxed in Wales and America, sadly dying a relatively young man.”
Ongoing hubs include St Colmcilles GAA in Pontcanna (since 1956), Wales’ sole Gaelic club, with successes like seven Gloucestershire titles (2000-2009) and women’s All-Britain final (2023).
How Will Cardiff Celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2026?
Festivities blend tradition and revelry. Music highlights include Jason Rouse’s uilleann pipes at The Dead Canary on 17 March and The Wilderness Yet’s fiddle tunes at Norwegian Church Arts Centre on 22 March.
Events feature The Tumbling Paddies at Tramshed Cardiff (14 March), Saint Patrick’s Day Pub Crawls from The Cocktail Club (13-14 March), Bingo Lingo special (21 March), and Popworld’s green-themed parties with shots and Irish pop anthems. These echo broader UK celebrations, like Armagh’s Home of St Patrick Festival (until 18 March) with music, art, and dance.
What More Does the Community Want?
Haines urges the Irish government to elevate Irish (Article 8.1 of the Constitution) via diaspora policy, proposing community classes and a global body akin to Alliance Française or Institut Ramon Llull. Ciorcal Comhrá Caerdydd submitted such ideas, noting demand in Wales. She praised Consul General support, wishing it extended worldwide, and ended:
“Lá Fhéile Pádraig faoi mhaise daoibh! Dydd Gŵyl Padrig Hapus! Happy St Patrick’s Day!”
